Review: Steven Universe Future “Bluebird” ; “A Very Special Episode”

Overview(Spoilers Below):

Steven realizes that his kindness might be overwhelming him.

Our Take:

Both these episodes highlight something about Steven; his kindness and the limits of it. In a show that’s all about reaching out to people and reform, I’m glad that Future is taking the time to address the fact that not everyone can be reached out to, and that kindness does have its limits.

Bluebird tests this kindness directly. Steven broadcasts to all gems that anyone wishing to find themselves are more than welcome to come to visit him and the new school for gems. What comes instead is Bluebird, a fusion of Eyeball and Aquamarine. They pretend to be redeeming themselves, but they’re actually out to cause Steven as much grief as possible. Still, Steven feels pressured to give Bluebird a second chance, because that’s his moral way. In the end, Bluebird ends up taking advantage of that kindness to squeeze her way into their inner circle, which gives her the perfect opportunity to harm Greg. It isn’t that people aren’t deserving of second chances, but that second chance has to be earned. If someone is genuinely trying to better themselves, then they deserve to be offered a helping hand. However, kindness shouldn’t necessarily be extended to those who have no intent on changing their ways. Giving people who are out to hurt you second chances over and over again might end up hurting not just you, but the people around you.

A Very Special Episode is a frame episode– it’s quite literally a PSA given by Sunstone. Steven is as popular and ever, and he’s constantly being pulled into multiple places at once. The problem is, those situations are best handled when he is a fusion and devolve when he leaves Pearl and Garnet to fend for themselves. A savior figure is always out doing things, and it becomes impossible, especially when he has to be in two different places at the same time. He is trying his best, but he can’t do his best when he is overtaxing himself. No matter how good his intentions are, it doesn’t matter if he’s physically incapable of making them a reality. A lot of people struggle with that, children and adults, and it’s good to have a reminder that taking it easy is important too.

As an older person, Steven is coming to terms with the reality of reformation. As a child, he was optimistic- and to be fair, he still is. However, he is starting to find his own limits, and for someone who is trying to help others, hard limits are necessary.